Inside a grand castle at the centre of a large city, six people solemnly stand around an ornate canopy bed sitting in the centre of a spacious room. Vibrant red and golden drapes flutter in the wind from the open windows as sunlight glints off a large coat of arms hanging over the head of the bed which depicts a sword and shield crossed over a suit of silver armour.
On the left side of the huge bed, a old man is struggling for breath. His bones jut from his skin and a slight trickle of blood can be seen portraying from his right ear that the people appear not to have noticed. Even on the verge of death, the man emanates elegance and determination with the air of royalty.
The curtains slowly flap as his rattling breath and occasional coughing echoed throughout the room. Every now and again his eyes lose focus and it is evident that he is not long for this world.
“Old age waits for no man, not even a King” the old man rasped before again succumbing to a fit of coughing.
Tears were streaming down the eyes of two girls standing towards the front of the group. They seem to be around the age of 13 and 20. Both have long dark brown hair with bright green emerald eyes perfectly matching the old man.
The eldest could be considered a world-class beauty with a smile that could captivate and entranced any man while the younger had much softer features, making her appear much cuter.
They had obviously prepared to be strong in front of their father to say their goodbyes however now they were in front of him seeing the pitiful state he was in they could barely contain their emotions, even more so since the king’s last comment almost sounded like final words.
“My King, please do not say such words in front of the princesses, you know how hard these last few weeks have been for them” scolded an equally looking old man dressed in a blood red robe embroidered with weird runes and symbols. A faint smell of brimstone emanated from him and extremely faint flames could be seen sporadically leaping from his body.
“Albert…… even on my deathbed you can't call me by my name. You're my oldest friend and even though you're a Grand Mage give me a little face” [King]
“Yes….. king John,” said Albert begrudgingly
The king frowned at the mage.
“..... John” [Albert]
The king chuckled slightly and lay back onto his pillow.
Albert sighed and looked towards the ground. The king had limited time left and he still insisted on these pointless things while dodging the serious ones. Although his position as Grand Mage was slightly above that of the small kingdom of Voina’s king, he was born in here and thus it not only felt normal but right even if they were childhood friends, he still wanted to show his respect.
Interrupting the awkward silence that filled the room, a man dressed in brown robes that smelt of damp earth had been mixing some sort of concoction on the bedside cabinet faintly spoke.
“My King, it is time for your medicine” [Brown Robed Man]
“..... I don't know what's worse, dying or drinking that filth” [King John]
The robed man chucked without cheer as he neared the bed.
“It's my revenge for all those years you made me run errands for you at the academy….. and running off with my little sister” [Brown robed man]
“Ha, seems like the saying ‘an alchemist’s grudge is as deep as the ocean is wide’ still holds” [King John]
“If Lauren was still here and saw you in this state I fear holding a grudge would be the least of my worries…. I would be sent ahead to prepare for your arrival of that I have no doubt for failing to save you” joked the alchemist with a hint of sadness breaking from his voice.
His little sister loved her husband, the king fiercely. Even though she died valiantly thwarting an assassination attempt on his life, killing 13 of the assailants and was heralded as a hero of the kingdom, it gave the alchemist little comfort. He had long since moved past the tragedy however a small part of him still held the king responsibly. If he had been more vigilant and careful it never of happened. What was worse was that no one knew who the assassins or their employers were.
Blood is thicker than water and loved ones will always be missed he mused before continuing his work in silence.
After a few moments, he was finished with the potion and leant towards the king with a small jar in his hands. It gave off a light blue with black specs and made slight fizzling noises.
Just as the king held out his frail arm to take the potion, the youngest princess snatched it from the alchemist and stared into his eyes as if trying to find out if the man, whom she has known for years was trustworthy.
The king chuckled before gently taking the potion out of her hands downs it in a single gulp.
King John knew his daughter was wary of everyone since he had been poisoned, and knew about the demons in the alchemist's heart regarding the queen's death. He and the alchemist’s issues were almost infamous for the blazing rows they had after the event but he believed deep down the alchemist would never betray him.
The king immediately started coughing and a glass of water was quickly offered to him a young man in regal looking clothes. The eerie thing was even though the gesture seemed to be full of love and respect, the man's eyes were void of emotion.
“Normally the more bitter the medicine the better it is” king John mutters before taking another drink from the glass to try and remove the potions foul taste.
The reason why the alchemist name was just alchemist was that he had never told anyone his real name. His sister was the only one who knew and she took that secret to the grave.
Name magic was too powerful for those classes that could not defend themselves well but had highly prized skills, like alchemists, enchanters and healers. Name magic could enable people to control the thoughts of the victim and manipulate them into doing whatever they wanted. The only exception to the rule was a slave and oath collars but to place that on a free man was too risky for most as not only the law but people trying to win favour with the victim would intervene.
Of course, equipment could be bought to protect themselves, but as they lacked strength and the items were very expensive it would just increase their attractiveness to those with ill intent.
“Father how are you feeling” [Young Princess]
“I'm fine my child, don't be so distrusting towards the grand alchemist, I have known him long and he is your uncle to boot” [King John]
The girl snorts in disdain and backs away to stand next to her sister.
“Just because your family doesn't mean you can't cause harm” she whispers while glaring at the young man who looked away unconcerned.
==== Kings POV ====
That girl trusts no one but is loyal to fault….. She would have been a great ruler if I did not have a son and she wasn't the second princess I mused as she took the glass from my hands.
If only my son Michael wasn't an extreme human supremacist with a heart full of conquest I might be able to die in peace. My daughters are the pride of my life, especially as they care very little about race or power just like their mother. Their kindness to all has even led to the current peace and stability we enjoy. If Michael didn't have complete control over the army and most of the dukes in his pocket I would have ignored tradition and allowed one of them to succeed me.
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I doubt Michael will allow them to continue to be free and do what they believe is just when he takes the throne. I just hope he doesn't try and marry them off to other human kingdoms to gain allies and be use political leverage to further his own gains.
“After all this time, and I still haven't protected the things that must be protected”
“What was that father” [Prince Michael ]
“Nothing my son, just the regrets of an old man”
I had even arranged that the neighbouring kingdom Tekath’s second princess to marry him to try and help him mature and realise what was really needed from a king. The hope was short lived however as she soon revealed that she has even more twisted views on what a ruler should be.
Thinking that even now I am not sure if I was manipulated into the arrangement, I get the nagging feeling that it might not have been my idea to start with. Which was multiplied when the first princess of Tekath who was next in line to the throne mysteriously vanished a few years ago. This lead to the rumours that the two kingdoms would be united and caused the surrounding kingdoms and empires to voice their concerns and start military preparations.
Our two kingdoms may be medium sized now, but if they were to be combined they would be considered one of the largest in the Tellvinai basin, controlling two of the three entrances and the only large freshwater supply.
“Father” [Prince Michael]
“We need to talk about the summoning ritual the scouts found in the ruins on the main content, if done correctly we could secure you a new body and ensure your reign for many years to come” continued the prince in an almost pleading tone.
A stout man in silver armour adorned with golden trim that had been standing behind the prince stepped forward
“My king, we already are in possession of the soul stones required as well as the dragon here we just need the… mage volunteers matching to match the number of summoned we need to begin” he added hastily seeing me getting annoyed at the prince for bringing up the subject once again.
I watched as the two glanced between each other…. I had been a king a long time and could spot their pathetic scheming a mile away.
“General Rolf “ I growled before falling into a fit of coughing.
“We will not use that cursed magic. Must I remind you of the Starfall incident of our forefathers”
Urg that cursed summoning ritual again, doesn't he know that it was a world-class spell just like this that caused the star fall incident destroying the continent of Argus and forced us to flee to this backwater continent filled with nothing but monsters, beasts and was so small that interracial fighting was never ending.
I guess it wasn't all bad, the Starfall decimated most of the lead races and enabled us, humans, to break the chains of slavery and oppression. Thankfully the low birth rate of the dragons and the high mortality of the demons have given the other races a chance.
“Better to die a human than to live as a monster”
After muttering the comment I can feel myself visibly pale and sink further into my bed, just talking was very taxing and if it wasn't for the alchemist's potion it was not sure I would still be conscious.
==== Grand Mage perspective ====
I steel myself, I can see my friend fading and want to let him rest, however, I need to try and stop this madness. If I can get a royal decree to destroy the information on the summoning ritual then we can stop this potential catastrophe. Even the summoning itself states it cannot guarantee the results. The phrase “The devil you know is better than the one you don't” comes to mind.
“My lord, we should destroy the knowledge of this summoning ritual, not only does it require the heart of an ancient dragon and the blood of as many sentient races as possible but high-grade soul stones that contain at least 10 thousand souls each per summoning”.
I pause for a moment to gauge the reaction of the prince before continuing[i/]
“We also will not know what species will come out. It's not worth the risk”
[i]Looking at John I knew he was getting worse but I couldn't stop now. The prince is arrogant and conceited but surely he would obey his father’s final wish. Not that it would matter as the moment I got the nod I would turn the room that holds the information to dust with a thought. The ignition stones had already been set up just in case there was a breach in security
“But each and every one will be unprecedented in battle potential as well as grow extremely fast with the ability to adopt any skills linked to their affinities” [Silver Armoured Man]
“Only their primaries, the secondary affinities will only reach middle rank at best, and that's if they have a secondary” I once again try to regain control of the conversation by highlighting just how uncertain it is. I can see they are trying to win the king's mind over with sweet promises which have no foundation at all and am starting to lose my temper.
I have spent many weeks sifting through the reams of documents that outline the summoning ritual and its theoretical outcomes. It appears to be a wild card idea thought up by some madman in the attempt to create an army of super beings for some warped sense of vengeance when his family were slaughtered.[i/]
The thing that terrifies me the most is that it involves trading a huge amount of souls for a single soul from another dimension on the hope that, while it's being pulled through the void it will gain special abilities from the gods.
Once the soul is in this dimension, it is forced into a pit containing the blood of every creature we can find to create a body best suited to it. The entire process is so painful and traumatic to the soul that the majority of memories are lost and its sanity and morals and questionable, to say the least.
“Silence Grand Mage, I will listen to your counsel where appropriate but do not believe that it's your place to tell me what to do” snarled Michael as he steps towards me.
I can't stand the prince…. I just don't understand where he got its personality from.
==== Third Person ====
Everyone had stopped speaking while Albert and Prince Michael had been squaring off. Albert had a flame light glow surrounding his hands while fire could literally be seen in his eyes while the prince's hand rested on a dull looking sword at his waist.
“Stop it! Father is dying and all you want is to do is argue in front of him” [Young Princess]
She was obviously infuriated at the men who should know better and had started lightly stamping her feet in a rage with red, tear stained cheeks.
“I suggest that anyone who wishes to continue this conversation step outside” [First princess]
Although the first princess did not hold much power, she had the air of a queen and matched it with an icy tone that left no room for debate even against people much higher and status.
“I was only…..” [Prince Michael]
Both princesses glared at him, cutting off any explanation he might have. If he continued he would be made to look the fool and he knew it.
“Silence is golden, especially in the case of idiots” [Young princess]
The room once again grew silent, The two princesses scowled at the others still enraged that the last moments their father would have on this earth were to be surrounded by bickering.
The alchemist walks over to the Albert with a look of sympathy and understanding. Anyone versed in any type of magic would understand that the summoning ritual was an unprecedented danger that could bring around a cataclysmic event.
Michael and general looked at each other and lightly smiled. The king wouldn't last long and when Michael became king there wouldn't need to be a discussion so this was pointless.
It was a shame they couldn't get his permission as it would enable them to act before the standard two month mourning period after his death but they had nothing but time.
==== Prince POV ====
Then hurry up and die you old goat. Then I will be able to create a utopia for humans while the demi races shall become slaves or die like the filth they are.
As soon as I succeeded the throne I will be able to take over the entire Tellvinai basin, after that the rest of the continent should not be hard.
What I am looking forward to most is conquering the forests of the fairy folk, when I do I will make Empress Luna become my slave, she's beautiful enough even for a filthy demi. Let's see her put on airs and look at me in contempt when she is laying at my feet.
I stifle the chuckle as my mind wanders to dark places, it wouldn't look good in this situation not that it really matters.
==== Third person ====
The King had gradually got whiter and his cough was now at the point that he could barely breathe. It wasn't long before he slipped into unconsciousness.
The Princesses had started to quietly sob unable to keep up the facade any longer and knelt down beside the bed to watch their father’s last moments.
With a small smirk, the prince turns and leads the general out of the room. Soon it would be his time, and he would not hold anything back.
Albert and the alchemist look at each other with unease as two left the room. They bowed deeply to the king and princesses and slowly left as well. At times like this, a true family should be together.
In an elegant room, on a large bed, a dying man is hugged by his weeping daughters. Status, rank, these mean nothing to them now. Nothing shall ease their pain as the one they look up to, the one they admired the most is leaving them, going to the unknown.
As his final rattling breath leaves his body and forever stills, a shadow in the corner of the room lightens unnoticed by the now wailing princesses and flies through the open window at an incredible speed towards the mountain range and far out of sight.